Precast foundation



April 24, 1945. B. J. scHwENDT PRECAST FOUNDATION 4 Shee'ts-Sheet l Filed Feb. 24, 1942 Bf-[Solare nii' AP1'24, 1945- i B., .1. scHwENDT PREGAST FOUNDATION Filed Feb. y24, l1.942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 B. J. SCHWENDT PRECAST FOUNDATION April 24,1945.

Filed Feb. 24.1, 1942 4n Sheets-Sheet 3 hun.

4 4 IIIILIAN ,Bc/.Sakura z Apri] 24, 1,945. B. J. scHw'ENDT 2,374,624

PRECAST FOUNDATION I Filed Feb. 24, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 Petented Apr; 24,1945

"UNITED STATESJLTENT-AOFFICE t t 2,374,624 l n Prisoner FoUNnArioN Bernard J. Schwendt, Fort'lhornas, Ky., assigner* to EthelF. Schwendt, Fort Thomas, Ky.

Application February 24, 1942, Serial No.g432,141

, y, Y fi claim. ThisA invention `relates to precast concrete foundations for signal masts, signal supply'cases,`

signals or the like. i n

object of this invention is to provide a precast foundation for supporting a signal mast n o'r `the like whereinfthefoundation s built upoi wardly divergent `sides "whereby the `earth may I be packedtherebetween. y

'A furtherobject of this `invention is to provide an improved base 4or foundation for a cabinet or case which includes a pair of spaced `apart upright base members and a connecting web theree Y between.

To the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel Construction, `combination and arranget 3 ment 'of parts as will be more specically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,` but it is tobe understood that changes, variations and modifications maybe resorted to which fall within the scope ofthe inventionas claimed. Inthe drawings: n i Figure l isla detail topplan of a precast concrete foundation constructed according to `an embodiment of this invention, l

-Figure 2^is a detail side elevation partly broken away and in section of thefoundation shown in Figure 1, n Figure 3 is a sectional view takenon the line n 3--3 of Figure 2, l

Figure` 4 is adetail top plan of thisinvention, t

Figure 5 is a `detail side elevation partly broken away `and Vinsection of the form ofthe invention shown in Figurei,

fled form of this invention,

, Figure i7 is aldetail` side elevation partly broken away of theform of invention shown in Figure 6, rFigure Slis a` sectional View partly broken away aridftaken on :the lineffSf-HB ofFigure 7;

Figure 9 is a detail topplan of a further modified formof this invention, t

` Figure 10` isa detail sideelevation partlybroken away and in section of the form of invention shown ii'i'lig'ureQ,` n

Figure `11 is a'sectionalview `taken on the line of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a detail side `elevation partly broken of this invention, w

`away and in section of` a further modification y Figure 13 is e, detail `top plan of the -form 'of invention shown in Figure l2,

Figure 14 lis a fragmentary'sectional view taken on theline 4`|4 of Figure 12, n n

Figure 15 is a detail side elevation of afurther modification of this invention,

Figure 16 is a detail top plan of the `*form of' invention shown inFigure 1'5,v

fFigurel'l is alfragmentary side elevation partly y in vertical section of `the form of invention n shown in Figures 15 and 16, and f Figure 18`is asectional view taken on the line of amodined form 4r;`

` forming blocks 21.

Referring to the drawings and rst to 'Figures l to 3 inclusive, `thefnurneral 20 designates gen;

upper surface 2| 'thereof and the lower surface`22 n o thereof a nut or threaded body 23.

`A washer or anchoring plate 2t is also embeddedin the `block 2B and engages above the nut or threaded mem` ber 23. The washer or anchoringlmember 2'4 substantially larger indiameterthan the sizeof the nut 23 and theblock 2i) is `,formed with an y erally a base or lower block which is substantially upwardly extending opening 25, so that a tie rodv 26 may be extended through the opening v25 for threaded engagement with the nut 23. n

A" plurality of superposed standard `iorrning blocks generally" designated as 21 are disposed on the upper side 2| ofthe base'block 2|l. Each standard forming block 21 'is constructed insubstantially star-shape, being formed of a plurality of radially arranged arms 28 which have rounded" outer vertical edges S29 and` parallel'iiat sides 3|). The` arms 28 radiate from a central body 3| and are formed integral with the central body 3|.'

Each arm 28 isformed with a vertically disposed n y `bore or opening 32 through whichthe tie rod 26 -ligure 16-=is:a detailftop planof another modi- 50M is adapted toloosely engage. n y

A cap block orhead generally designated as 34 is disposed on the uppermost of the `standard Q The cap block `31|" as shown.

` inFgures 1 and 2 is substantiallysquare in plan andis constructedsubstantially in the `form oil atruncated pyramid having upwardly inclined or convergent side walls 35. The central portion of the cap or head block 34 is formed with a circular opening 36 for not only reducing the weight thereof but also to provide for extension of wires, cables or the like upwardly into the mast or signal apparatus. The block or cap 34 is also provided at the upper end thereof with beveled upper edge portions 31, so as to eliminate any sharp corners at the rupper end of the block 3d. The block 34 is substantially equal in size to the square formed by the outer edge portions of the superposed standard forming blocks 27. The block 34 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed spaced apart openings 38 through which the tie rods 26 are adapted to loosely engage.

The tie rods 23 are of a length slightly greater than the overall height of the foundation, eX- tending upwardly from the upper side of the cap or head block 34, so that the lower or base portion of a mast or other supportedelement may loe securely fastened to theupper side of the block or cap 34. Theupper end 38 ofV each rod 26 is threaded as at 39 and a nut 4!) is threaded onto each rod 2li, so as to rmly hold the mast or other supported element on the upper .side of the cap or head 34. v

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 there is disclosed a slightly modiiied formof this invention. A square base block 4l is formed o1` concrete which, if desired, may be .reinforced in the conventional manner. The base block 4i has ernbedded therein a plurality `of radially arranged nuts Q2, and a washer or anchoring member- 43 is also embedded in the baseblock 4| above'each nut 42. The block 4l is'providedwith an .upwardly opening socket .44 communicating With the bore of the nut42,- so that a threaded rod i5 may be extended downwardly `through -.the opening 4e for threaded engagement with anut 42.

A plurality of superposed standard forming blocks 4B are disposed on the .base 4| and are of likeconstruction to the blocks 21." Each of the blocks 45 is formed with an opening in an Iarm 4'Ithereof through which arod 45 is adapted to loosely engage. `An upper block or cap member. generally designated as 48 s mounted lon the uppermost of the standard forming blocks 46. The upper block or `cap 48 is rounded in trans verse section and has a diameter at the lower portion thereof considerably larger than the transverse width of each block 46. The block or cap 43 is of substantially truncated conical configuration tapering upwardly and at the upper end of the block lli the upper edge thereof is beveled as at 49, so as to elirninateany sharp corner at the upper end of this block.. The block 43 is also provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings 50 through which the rods 45 are adapted to loosely engage. I .The upper ends of the rods 45 are threaded as at 5|, so that al nut 52 may be threaded onto the threads 5l for securing the supported element in the form of a mast or the like on the cap block 48. f

Referring now torFigures 6 to 8 inclusive' there `is disclosed a further modified form of this invention. The foundation structure disclosed in Figures 6; '7 and 8 includes a-base block 53 which is rectangular in plan and is formed in substantially the'center thereof with an opening 54.

corners of the base block 53 and the outer portions of the arms 5B are formed with an opening 5l through which a tie rod 58 is adapted to engage. The lower end of the tie rod 58'is adapted to be threaded into a nut 53 which is embedded in the base block 53, and an anchoring washer or plate lill is also embedded in the base block 53 on the upper side of a nut 59.

A cap or head block 6I is disposed on the upper end of the uppermost of the standard forming blocks 55 and is substantially rectangular in plan and of a size substantially equal to the size of the base block 53. The cap or head block 6I is formed with a central rectangular opening 62 and the block 6l is also provided with openings 33 adjacent the corners thereof through which the upper end portions of the tie rods 58 are adapted to engage. The upper end portions of the tie rods 58 are threaded, as at 64, so as to provide for the securing of the lower end portion of a signal mast or other supported velement on the upper side of the cap or head-block El. The cap or head block 6| is also provided with a bev;- eled upper edge portionli, so Yas to eliminate any sharp corners. The opening [i3V provides a, means for extending wires, cables or thelike,l through the cap 6i into the signal apparatus, and also reduces the weight of the cap'lil.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and ll, therel is disclosed a further modification form of precast foundation structure. In tthis form of the invention, there is disclosed abase member generally designated asSG which is adapted to be substantially entirely embedded in the ground.

The base member 65 includes a lower base plate. 57 which has formed integral therewith a-pair of upwardly convergent side The space or opening 69 between the -two side `forming members 68 provides a space for receiving dirt or the like so as to provide additional anchorage of the base structure 66 in thegreund. A head or cap Hl is cast integral withthe upper ends of the two side forming members .63, and is provided with a central circularope'ning. 1| through which'wires, cables or'the like may be extended into the signal apparatus.

A cap or head plate 12 is disposed on the upper end of the base member 66 and is rectangular in plan as shown more clearly in Figure 9.` The base member 66 has embedded therein a plurality of nuts, and an anchoring plate or washer'l `is disposed above each nut 73. Therbase member. 66 is formed `with openings 'i4 through which bolts '13a may extend for engagement with the nuts '13. The bolts i3d may extend downwardly through openings 'I6 which are {ormed in the cap or head member 72, and the head member 12 is also provided with enlarged openings 11 opening through the upper side I8 of the head member'12 for countersinking the heads'lQ'of the bolts 13a.

The cap or head member 'I2 is also provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings 'adjacent the corners thereof and spaced outwardly from the openings 16. Bolts 8|,Jare adapted to engage through the openings 30 and through'the base portion 82 of a mast or other supported velement. The vbolts 8l have nuts 83 threaded onto the lower ends thereof which engage againstthe lower side Se of the cap orlhead member 12.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 14 inclusive, there is disclosed a foundation structure including a base block 35. The base b1ock'85 has'embedded therein a plurality ofthreaded nutsf81,

and an anchoring plate or washer 88 is also embeddedin the base block 85 andengages against the upper side of a nut 81. The block 85 is also provided with upwardly extending openings 89 which open through the upper side of the block 85, so that tie rods 90 may be extended through `the openings `89 for threaded engagement with the nuts 81.

IA plurality of superposed standard forming blocks 9| which are similar in `every detail to the blocks 21 are disposed on the base block 85, and each standard forming block 9| is provided with an opening 92 in each arm 93 thereof `through which the tie rods 99 are adapted to loosely engage. A second series of standard forming blocks 94 which are similar to the blocks 9| and to the blocks 21 are disposed on the base 85 in spaced relation to the blocks 9|.

A cap or head block 95 is disposed on the uppermost of the blocks 9| and 94 and is formed with recesses 96 for permitting the countersink- `ing ofnuts 91 within the block 95. The `rods 90 terminate at their upper ends substantially coplanar with the upper side 98 of the block 95. The

block 95 also has secured thereina plurality of upwardly extending bolts 99 which are embedded at the lower ends within the block 95 and extend .upwardly therefrom to permit the'attachment of the base portion of a signal pipe compensator or other supported element to the upper'side 98 of theblock or cap member 95.

Referring now `to `Figures 15 to 18 inclusive, there `is disclosed a foundation structure generally designated as "|00, which is adapted to be embedded for the most part within the ground.

The foundation structure |00 includes a pair of spaced apart side forming blocks IOI whichlconstitute base blocks, and which have vertically disposed inner edge portions |92.

The blocks IOI have upwardly and inwardly inclined outer side portions |03.' so that each block IOI is formed with a relatively large lower end portion |04 and a relatively small or narrow `upper end portion |05. Each block |0I is formed with a recess |06 in the outer side thereof and with one or more openings |01 in the upper portion |05 through which bolts |08 may be extended for securing a supported element |09 on the blocks IOI. The supported element |09 may be secured to the blocks |0| by means of nuts |I0 which are threaded onto the bolts |08.

The blocks IOI are held in spaced apart relation by means of a combined spacing and bracing web or member generally designated as I I. The bracing and spacingmember I I I comprises upper and lower elongated bars II2 `and II3, respectively, which are disposed in parallel spaced apart relation and are connected togetherintermediate the ends thereof `by, a vertically disposedV connecting member IIA which is formed integral therewith. The opposite end portions of the bars II2 and |I3 are also connected togetherby an` end connecting member I I5.

The end connecting members |I5 have embedded therein a pair of nuts I|1 which are disposed in vertically spaced apart relation, and are anchored within the'end `member `I I5 by means of anchoring plates H8. Bolts I I6 extend out wardly through openings I|1 formed in an end member IOI and are threaded into the nuts II1, being extended through openings |I9 formed in the end member IOI. As shown in' Figure 15, when the base structure |00 is in operative position, the connecting web or spacing member` III is disposed a substantial distance below the upper surface of the ground, and only the upper reduced end portions of the end or side blocks IOI projectabove the surface of the ground.

In the use of` the foundation structures herein disclosed the baseblocks, the standardforming blocks and the webs or head members are ini- `tially cast and the height of each foundation` 4which includes the superposed standard `forming blocks is determined by the particular size of the element to be supported thereby. By providing the star-shape or crossedstandard form.- ing blocks, the ground will firmly pack about the sides of the right angularly related arms of each standard forming block, thereby providing a more firm anchoring means for the foundation.

that the `completed foundation may be Vset up atv the locationand may also be set up within the hole which is formed in the ground to receive the foundation.

WhatIclaimis: A precast foundation comprising a solid` base block having flat upper and lower faces, nuts imbedded i'n said base, washers of appreciably greater diameter thanisaid nuts resting uponv said nuts to brace the nuts against upward pull, said base having sockets therein leading from `its upper face in alignment with registering openings of the washers and the nuts, blocks stacked upon said base to form a column having a solid central portion and arms radiating therefrom and formed with vertical openings aligned with the sockets of the base, a head block resting upon said column, said head block being tapered upwardly and formed with a center opening of appreciably greater diameter than the central portion of the column and with openings registering with the openings of said column metal rods passed downwardly through the registering openings of the head block and the column and having threaded lower ends engaged in the sockets of the base and screwed into ,said nuts. upper ends of said rods being threaded and protruding upwardly from said head block, `and` nuts screwed upon the upper ends of said rods to secure the head block.`

" BERNARD J. `SCI-IWEILIDT. 

